Fabio Calzia was born in Imperia, a coastal town near Sanremo in Italy. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Genoa, followed by a Master’s in Management Engineering. This path allowed him to develop both technical expertise and a strong understanding of how to manage processes, people, and the organisational side of engineering work.
He now lives in Genoa and has been part of RINA for the past three years. Just one month after joining the company, the Hephaestus project began. It was his first experience with a European project and marked the beginning of his involvement in international research and innovation.

What is your area of expertise and your role within the Hephaestus project?
I work as an innovation consultant. My main focus is helping companies and research teams develop strategies for innovation, whether that means improving a process or bringing a new product to life. I support them in identifying the best path to follow, from idea to implementation. In Hephaestus, I am responsible for exploitation activities in Work Package 7, where I look at how the project’s results can be used beyond the research phase.

Can you give an example of what innovation means in your work?
Innovation can take many forms. For example, in one project I worked on identifying a new tool to reduce the environmental impact of the pulp and paper industry. The work did not stop at the idea! We also explored how to apply that solution within an actual production line. I also help partners decide which intellectual property (IP) strategy to follow, depending on what fits the technology and the organisation. It is about choosing the right method and timing to protect and use the innovation.

What exactly do you do in EU projects like Hephaestus?
In European projects, I focus on exploitation. That means I study the technologies being developed and try to understand where the “true” innovation lies, checking outside the Consortium if the technologies are new and why. Then I help define how those results, whether they are products, services, or processes, can be applied outside of the project.
In Hephaestus, for example, we are working on several key outcomes. There is EZINEX, a process for recovering zinc from dust. We also have a Cleantech Electric Arc Furnace, a process to valorise mineral wool, and a Carbon Capture Unit. Some of these are physical products, others are advanced processes. In this project, the real innovation is in the full flowsheet, so we put a stronger focus on the process side.

What do you do with these technologies once they are developed?
My role is to gather information from the project partners about each product or process. Based on what they provide – technical details, potential uses, and their goals – I explore the best path for exploitation.
For example, a university like KU Leuven may not aim to sell the technology directly, while a company like Engitec could take it to market. I help answer questions like: How do we turn this innovation into a business opportunity? Should it be licensed? Sold? Could we build a new plant using this technology? Sometimes we even explore new business models, like offering EZINEX as a service instead of selling it as a product.

There are usually three main paths for exploitation: licensing the technology, making and selling the product, or using the process directly in operations. Each option depends on the partner’s role and interests.

So, can Hephaestus actually generate value beyond the project?
Yes, absolutely! Some of the solutions we are developing have strong potential not only from a technological point of view, but also from a commercial one. In the early stages of the project, I worked on a market analysis for Work Package 1. Zinc and mineral wool, for instance, both have real economic value.

Mineral wool, in particular, is important for improving the sustainability of buildings. It helps with insulation and energy efficiency, which are major topics in construction today. In Task 7.2, we are developing “technology cards” for each of the four main technologies. These will summarise all the key aspects: technical features, potential applications, and exploitation strategies. We are also preparing business models and IP guidelines to help partners protect and commercialise their innovations.

What are you most proud of in your work on Hephaestus?
On a personal level, I feel strongly committed to sustainability and the decarbonisation of the metallurgy sector. I am especially proud of our work on carbon capture technologies, which directly reduce the CO₂ impact of steel production. Being part of this green transition motivates me every day. I see my role as helping to bring advanced R&D solutions into the real world, where they can make a difference.